Dr. Nicolas Villanustre is a specialist in plastic surgery. Clinical interests for Dr. Villanustre include eyelid surgery, thigh lift, and general reconstruction. He is rated 4.0 stars out of 5 by his patients. He accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. He attended medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of the Republic Faculty of Medicine. He is affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital.

Dr. Maria Garcia-Cardona is a pediatric dermatologist and surgical dermatologist in Clearwater, FL. She has received a 3.5 out of 5 star rating by her patients. Her areas of expertise include the following: academic dermatology, skin cancer excision, and psoriasis. Dr. Garcia-Cardona honors Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and more. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She trained at a hospital affiliated with the University of Puerto Rico for residency. Dr. Garcia-Cardona speaks Spanish. Dr. Garcia-Cardona is affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital.

Dr. Robert Vollbracht's area of specialization is neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). Patient ratings for Dr. Vollbracht average 3.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Vollbracht's areas of expertise include the following: migraine and trigger point injections. He is professionally affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital. Dr. Vollbracht is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and then he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Miami.

2013 Procedure Details

Dr. Diana Pollock is a physician who specializes in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). She has received a 3.5 out of 5 star rating by her patients. In her practice, Dr. Pollock focuses on sleep apnea, alzheimer's disease, and memory loss. Dr. Pollock is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Pollock attended Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and then went on to complete her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of South Florida (USF). Her professional affiliations include Mease Countryside Hospital and Mease Dunedin Hospital.

2013 Procedure Details

Dr. Bozena Sabala's specialty is family medicine. In addition to English, she speaks Polish. Her areas of expertise include the following: sexually transmitted diseases (STds), cryotherapy, and trigger point injections. Dr. Sabala's professional affiliations include Mease Countryside Hospital, Mease Dunedin Hospital, and Morton Plant Hospital. Dr. Sabala attended medical school at the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine. For her residency, Dr. Sabala trained at North Shore University Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital. Patient ratings for Dr. Sabala average 2.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Sabala takes Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and more.

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What is Chemodenervation?

Chemodenervation is a type of treatment that stops unwanted or overactive sensations and movements. A very small dose of strong chemicals is injected into the affected nerve or muscle, blocking movement and pain in a small and specific area. Chemodenervation may use substances such as phenol or alcohol, but the most well-known agent is botulinum toxin, commonly in the form of Botox. Originally approved to treat wrinkles, Botox is now used to treat a wide variety of disorders.

Chemodenervation can be used to treat many different disorders that cause pain or unwanted movement. Some of these include:

Spasticity, or tight, stiff muscle movement

Cerebral palsy, which can cause exaggerated or uncontrolled movement

Dystonia, or cramping and involuntary motions

Migraine

Overactive bladder

Some kinds of chronic pain, including sciatica

Certain voice disorders

Excess salivation

Depending on the area being treated, a chemodenervation session may take only a few minutes or as long as an hour. In some cases, an ultrasound will be used to guide the injection to exactly the right spot. Although results may be felt immediately, it may take 5 to 7 days for full effect. Results usually last several months.